Obstetrical Outcomes of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in Pregnancy / 대한주산의학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) frequently occurs in young women. Consequently, clinicians often give medical treatment to pregnant women who are diagnosed with ITP. This study might help to make a clinical guidelines for obstetrical ITP patients and their infants. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated the medical charts of 19 cases of deliveries and 22 neonates which from mothers with the diagnosis of ITP during pregnancy from March 1998 to March 2007. RESULT: Corticosteroid treatment was administrated in 13 cases, high-dose immunoglobulin therapy in 3 cases, and concentrated platelet transfusion in 17 cases during their antenatal care. Ten (45%) vaginal deliveries and twelve (55%) cesarean sections were performed. There were no obstetrical complications associated with their ITP and only four infants with platelet counts below the 150,000/micronLiter were reported after birth. However there were not any signs and symptoms of neonatal complications resulting from their maternal ITP. CONCLUSION : Our results demonstrate that mothers with ITP can successfully deliver healthy infants in most case. Although maternal and fetal bleeding may occur, such a fatal complication is uncommon.

Pregnancy outcomes in women aged 35 and older / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effect of maternal age on obstetric outcomes, a retrospective analysis was done. METHODS: Twenty six hundred and forty six women who delivered a singleton baby at our hospital from January 1, to December 31, 2004 were enrolled in this study. Subjects were divided into 3 age groups; 1) less than 35 years, 2) 35-39 years, and 3) 40 years and older. Chi-square test was used to assess the effect of age on obstetrics outcome. Then the odds ratio was calculated to represent clinically meaningful risk. RESULTS: A total of 2646 women with complete data were available; 2245 (84.9%) less than 35 years of age; 350 (13.2%) 35-39 years; and 51 (1.9%) 40 years and older. Increasing age was significantly associated with chromosomal abnormalities (OR 3.9and 8.8 for ages 35-39 years and age 40 years and older, respectively), Preterm premature rupture of membranes (OR 1.3 and 3.2) and cesarean delivery (OR 2.0 and 5.5). Patients aged 35-39 years were at increased risk for placenta previa (OR 1.8) and congenital anomaly (OR 2.8) but these were not statistically significant. The rate of the preterm delivery was increased by age (OR 1.3 and 1.9 for ages 35-39 years and age 40 years and older, respectively) but it was not statistically significant (p=0.121). We did not find advanced maternal age to be associated with a statistically increased risk for preeclampsia, congenital anomaly, gestational diabetes, placenta abruption, low birth weight, macrosomia, neonatal morbidity (NICU admission), and perinatal loss. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, although the likelihood of adverse outcomes increases with maternal age, patients and obstetric care providers can be reassured that overall maternal and fetal outcomes are favorable in this patient population.